It does not appear where this magnificent proclamation was prepared and printed. Printing presses are not, it is believed, included in the ordinary equipments of ships of Avar, and it is therefore a natural inference that the pro- clamation was printed either in Washington, or at Callao, the port from which the Commodore had departed- for Monterey. In either case, it seems that the conquest of California was deliberately resolved on before the Commo- ns dore convened his officers to sanction by their advice the enterprise he had ah-eady commenced. On the 13th Sep- tember, six days after he had left Callao, and while on his course to Monterey, he wrote to Mr. Upshur, " In all that I may do (in reference to California), I shall confine my- self strictly to what I may suppose would be yowr vieivs and orders, had you the means of communicating them to me." Mr. Upshm-'s well-known sentiments, and the cha- racter of the ultra pro-slavery party to which he belonged, leave no doubt that the Commodore perfectly compre- hended his wishes.
The day after Jones had distributed his proclamation with all its fine promises, he discovered that, instead of robbing Great Britain of a territory she had purchased, he had seized upon a possession of a neighboring Republic still at peace with his own country. The " infallible em- blems of civil liberty," &c., &c., were therefore lowered, and a due apology was made to the Mexican commander and the succeeding day, the Commodore, abandoning the task of converting the Californians into American citizens, returned to the more inglorious but more innocent occu- pation of exploring the coast and bays of California, pre- paratory to another and less transient conquest.
The Government at home was, of course, compelled to disavow Jones's act ; but in vain was his punishment demanded by Mexico. She was informed that he " intended no indignity to the government of Mexico, nor anything unlawful to her citizens."